Temperatures in vehicles can get increasingly hot in a short period of time.
This is why it’s never a good idea to leave your pet in a hot vehicle for even 10 minutes.
If it’s 20 degrees outside, a vehicle will go to 32 degrees in 10 minutes and if it’s 27 degrees outside, a vehicle will go to 43 degrees in 20 minutes.
Dr. Roxanne Neufeld, Veterinarian at the Dauphin Vet Clinic, says just leaving the vehicle window open isn’t enough to cool a pet off.
“43 degrees Celsius in a vehicle is already going to be detrimental to a pet’s health, so its much safer if you’re running some errands, don’t bring your pets with you. If you have to have your pets with you, then park in the shade, leave your vehicle running with the air conditioning on but just cracking a window open isn’t going to be enough to keep the temperature of your vehicle from rising to dangerous levels.”
Pets suffering from heat exposure will seem lethargic and should see a veterinarian right away.
